Governments establish marine protected areas (MPA’s) to shield threatened marine ecosystems and other undersea resources from intrusive human activity. Marine protected areas also know as (MPAs) provide living laboratories for oceanographers and marine biologists to conduct research. Marine protected areas are seen as a vital tool to safeguard the oceans, with calls for 30% of the world’s oceans to be protected by 2030. In Hawaii, Papahānaumokuākea MPA was created in 2006 to protect biological and cultural resources. This MPA is co-managed, by Native Hawaiians the state of Hawaii and the US federal government. Hawaii Dolphin Watch is an advocate of the importance of MPAs and will be conducting interviews, updating information on MPAs around the world including what is happening in New Zealand, Australia, Florida, Fiji and South America.

Hawaii has one of the of the largest Marine Protected Areas established by President Bush and expanded by President Obaba with a total size now 582,578 square miles. This important step to protect and preserve our natural habitat and save ocean reefs is a cornerstone to protect marine life around the world.